US Vice-president Joe Biden has offered talks with Iran, proposed alliance with Russia against Islamic terror and urged America’s European allies to shoulder more of the burden on Afghanistan.

Barack Obama’s number two delivered the first landmark foreign policy speech of the new administration in his address to world leaders at the Munich Security Conference.

The speech offered a marked change in tone from the previous administration which was often seen as promoting go-it-alone diplomacy over international co-operation. But there were few major new policy initiatives behind the rhetoric – a signal that the Obama White House and secretary of state Hillary Clinton are still drawing up strategies for key areas.

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“Our administration is reviewing policy toward Iran, but this much is clear: we will be willing to talk,” he said.

“We will be willing to talk to Iran, and to offer a very clear choice: continue down your current course and there will be pressure and isolation; abandon the illicit nuclear program and your support for terrorism and there will be meaningful incentives.”

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He proposed a shared fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban with Russia as part of an era of improved relations between Washington and Moscow.